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Naomi Rodriguez — UNLAB Researcher University of California Los Angeles Fall 2024 – present: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Naomi completed her Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a minor in Anthropology from The University of California, Los Angeles. Naomi has worked within museum institutions – most recently in Membership at NHMLAC – looking to expand her knowledge on educational programs, specifically arts education for marginalized groups. Along with her passion for Art History, Naomi loves going to the movies, learning about marine life, watercolor painting, and reading. She is very excited to join the MBC team and can’t wait to see what she gets to learn and share with others. |
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Ryan Moinazad University of Southern California Fall 2024 – present: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Ryan Moinazad is a Freshman at the University of Southern California pursuing a Dual Degree in Biological Sciences (Cell, Molecular, Developmental) and Legal Studies with a minor in Healthcare Studies on a pre-medicine track. He is especially interested in evolutionary biology and the applications of phylogenetic research to the medical field, and ultimately plans to attend medical school. Originally from Seattle, WA, Ryan loves the outdoors and can be found hiking, swimming, and exploring new places when not at work or school. |
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Yume Kamal — M.S. Student (A Backbone for the Peracarida) California State University Dominguez Hills Fall 2024 – present: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Yume is a masters student at CSUDH who has an interest in science and research. She has more experience in micro/molecular biology lab settings, but is ecstatic about using her time as a masters student and working in this lab to broaden her knowledge and experience. |
2022 |
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Jessica Heidelberg Summer 2022: Marine Biodiversity Center research student |
2018 |
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Makenzie Hajek University of Southern California Major: Art History Spring 2019 – Fall 2019: Marine Biodiversity Center student Fall 2018: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2017 – Spring 2018: Marine Biodiversity Center student Makenzie is a sophomore getting a degree in Art History while also completing a pre-med track. She wants to pursue a career as a wildlife veterinarian focusing on large exotic animals (elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, etc.). In her free time, she loves horseback riding, traveling for the sake of interacting with the native wildlife, hiking with her dogs, swimming piers, reading literally everything and attempting to eat at every possible restaurant in L.A. |
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Elizabeth Kim University of Southern California Major: Environmental Science and Health Spring 2019: Marine Biodiversity Center student Fall 2018: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Spring 2018: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2017: Marine Biodiversity Center intern Elizabeth is a junior at the University of Southern California. She is majoring in Environmental Science and Health, with an emphasis in pre-health. She plans to pursue a career as an orthopedic doctor. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, and loves to surf. |
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Jayesh Sharma University of Southern California Major: Neuroscience Fall 2018: Marine Biodiversity Center student Spring 2018: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2017: Marine Biodiversity Center student Jayesh Sharma is a freshman majoring in Neuroscience at USC. He has a passion for research, in fields varying from Marine Biology to Stem Cell Regeneration. In his free time, he likes to game, read, and watch anime. |
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Jessica Carrillo University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biomedical Engineering Fall 2018 – Fall 2019: Marine Biodiversity Center student Spring 2018: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Spring 2017 – Fall 2017: Marine Biodiversity Center student Fall 2016: Marine Biodiversity Center volunteer Jessica is a sophomore at USC planning to major in Biomedical Engineering. She is a Latino Alumni Association Scholar, writer and social media chair for the online magazine Society.19, and works with USC Viterbi’s pre-college engineering program. She enjoys cooking and baking, spending time with friends and family, weight training, and making people laugh . |
2016 |
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Jennifer Pan University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biomedical Engineering Fall 2016 – Spring 2017: Marine Biodiversity Center volunteer Fall 2015 – Spring 2016: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Spring 2015: Marine Biodiversity Center volunteer Spring 2015: BioSCAN volunteer Jennifer is a sophomore in Biomedical Engineering at USC. She is also a coffee addict and thinks museums are awesome. In her free time she likes to go running, try new restaurants in LA, and play video games. |
2015 |
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Dana Handy University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Environmental Studies Spring 2015: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2014 – Spring 2015: BioSCAN student Fall 2014 – Spring 2015: Marine Biodiversity Center student In my experience at USC I have been able to study abroad in New Zealand, become a scientific SCUBA diver and do research in Guam and Palau. Outside of school my hobbies include rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking and camping. I am originally from San Diego and hope to return after I graduate in order to accomplish my Masters at Scripps Institute of Oceanography. I am very passionate about ocean conservation and hope to pursue a career in marine biodiversity and conservation or in environmental education. |
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Mark Paraschuk University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Computer Science and Business Administration Fall 2014 – Fall 2015: Marine Biodiversity Center student Spring 2015: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2014 – Spring 2015: BioSCAN student Born Estonian, raised Russian, Mark Paraschuk brings the free-willing, European spirit to the lab. He is currently majoring in Computer Science/Business Administration at USC. He was drawn to the BioSCAN project by his love for the natural world and the prospect of participating in groundbreaking research regarding urban biodiversity. His interests vary far and wide, but a steady constant in his life is his love for tea and reading. |
2014 |
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Lindsay Hafen University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biological Sciences Spring 2015 – Fall 2015: Marine Biodiversity Center volunteer Spring 2014 – Fall 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Spring 2014 – Fall 2014: BioSCAN research student Summer 2013 – Fall 2013: Marine Biodiversity Center volunteer Summer 2013 – Fall 2013: BioSCAN volunteer Lindsay is studying biological sciences at the University of Southern California. She enjoys traveling, reading, painting and, of course, biology! She isn’t sure what her future career will be, but she has been inspired by the Natural History Museum and thinks it will have something to do with biology. Her favorite insect currently are European honey bees. |
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Harleen Marwah University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Spring 2013 – Fall 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Spring 2013 – Fall 2014: BioSCAN research student Harleen Marwah is a Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Major from Upland, CA. Harleen aspires towards medical school, and plans to use her voice as an M.D. to facilitate communication between the science, business, and policy worlds. At USC, Harleen works at the USC Office for Wellness and Health Promotion, serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Students Taking Action in the Name of Diversity, and serves as a co-founder and director of the undergraduate ambassador program for USC’s Keck School of Medicine. Through her research at the Natural History Museum, Harleen’s passion for environmental health and for bridging the gap between science and policy has grown. And of course, she has become an advocate for those adorable fairy shrimp. |
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Jennifer Camello University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Anthropology Spring 2014 – Summer 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Spring 2014 – Summer 2014: BioSCAN research student Fall 2013: Marine Biodiversity Center volunteer Fall 2013: BioSCAN volunteer Jennifer is a junior majoring in Anthropology and hopes to one day become a pediatrician. She used to want to become a museum curator because she loves Ancient Greek artifacts and history, so maybe this position will sway her back to the museum life. She is fond of baking, global health, dark chocolate, tea, and traveling. |
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Janie Chen University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Fall 2013 – Summer 2014: BioSCAN research student Fall 2013 – Summer 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Summer 2013: BioSCAN student Summer 2013: Marine Biodiversity Center student Janie is a freshman majoring in Health Promotion Disease Prevention. In her free time, she enjoys reading. Though it’s too hard for her to pick an absolute favorite, her favorite book of the moment is A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. Her dream is to become a coral reef gardener in Australia. Blind Pilot, Passion Pit, and TOKiMONSTA are tied for first place in her iTunes most played. If she could choose a superpower, she would choose to have the ability to speak every language in the world. |
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Christina Li University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biological Sciences Spring 2013 – Summer 2014: BioSCAN student Fall 2012 – Summer 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center student Fall 2013 – Spring 2014: BioSCAN research student Fall 2013 – Spring 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Christina is a Biological Sciences major. She likes to watch dramas & movies in general in her spare time. Occasionally, she also likes to play the piano. She loves to be around animals, especially furry ones. She is volunteering at the Natural History Museum because it is a fun place to gain more experience in a field she had not previously considered. |
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Edwin Lee University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biological Sciences Fall 2013 – Spring 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2013 – Spring 2014: BioSCAN research student Edwin is currently a junior studying Biological Sciences at University of Southern California. He enjoys hiking, swimming, and watching movies. He loves working with cool insects in the Nature Lab and aspires to work in medicine after graduation. He really hates celery. He is 20 years old, but still very much enjoys watching Cartoon Network. |
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Nathan Nguyen University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biological Sciences Fall 2013 – Spring 2014: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2013 – Spring 2014: BioSCAN research student Nathan is a junior studying Biological Sciences with a minor in Italian. He plans to pursue a career in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. His hobbies include snowboarding, the beach, traveling, concerts, camping, fine dining, and just spending time with friends and family. He has a great passion for music and science. |
2013 |
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Mark Floro University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biomedical Engineering Spring 2013 – Summer 2013: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Mark is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Born and raised in Huntington Beach, Mark loves Southern California and going to the beach. He also enjoys watching movies and exploring Los Angeles. He hopes to learn important research skills by working in the Biodiversity Lab. |
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Eddy Giang University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Biological Sciences Spring 2013: BioSCAN research student Spring 2013: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Fall 2012 – Spring 2013: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Eddy is a senior majoring Biological Sciences. His interest in the field of biology first started at a young age, hiking with his family and exploring rivers for any moving life forms. In his spare time, Eddy enjoys the outdoors, photography, traveling, and cooking. |
2006 |
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Laura A. Ponce University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI Summer 2006: NSF Decapoda research student Summer 2006: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Laura is a senior at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, majoring in biology. As an REU intern during the summer of 2006, she enjoyed learning about isopod morphology, taking a multitude of SEM images, and finding strange parasitic isopods in her barnacles. She hopes to continue to pursue her interests in biological research by going on to graduate school, hopefully somewhere near the very awesome Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Laura also enjoys spending time at the beach, relaxing with a good book, watching movies with her friends, discovering new music to rock out to, and finding interesting new places to see. |
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Jean Christophe Le University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Spring 2006: NSF Isopods research student Spring 2006: Marine Biodiversity Center research student Chris is a junior majoring in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Ever since he saw Jurassic Park as a kid, he was fascinated by the inner workings of a lab. Having a chance to get hands-on experience with invertebrates is broadening his biology experience. Chris is passionate about acting and modeling. He also practices and instructs martial arts. He is a black belt 3rd degree in Tae Kwon Do and recently began learning a new form of Chinese martial arts called Wushu Kung Fu. |